MushroomHub Logo

Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata)

Funeral bell mushrooms Galerina marginata growing on rotting wood Funeral bell mushroom Galerina marginata underside showing brown gills Funeral bell mushrooms Galerina marginata growing on decaying wood

The Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata) is a small but extremely dangerous mushroom that grows on decaying wood, stumps, and fallen logs across the UK. The cap is brown to yellow-brown and often shiny when wet, with pale gills that darken as the mushroom matures. It may grow alone or in clusters and is frequently mistaken for harmless or edible woodland mushrooms.

This species contains amatoxin, the same deadly toxins found in death caps and destroying angels. Poisoning causes severe liver failure, often with delayed symptoms. Initial signs include vomiting and diarrhoea, followed by a temporary improvement before catastrophic organ damage occurs. Without rapid medical treatment, ingestion can be fatal.

Identification Features:

  • Small to medium brown to honey-brown cap
  • Cap is smooth and sticky when wet, shiny when fresh
  • Cap shape starts convex, flattening with age
  • Cap colour often darker in the centre, paler at the edges
  • Gills are pale brown at first, becoming rusty brown
  • Gills are attached to the stem
  • Stem is thin, brownish and fibrous
  • Usually has a small, fragile ring on the stem (may disappear with age)
  • Flesh is thin and brownish
  • Spore print is rusty brown
  • Grows in clusters or small groups
  • Found on rotting wood, stumps and logs
  • Common on conifer wood, but also found on hardwood
  • Fruits spring through late autumn in the UK
  • Very similar in size and shape to some edible wood-growing mushrooms

Foraging Safety:

  • Extremely deadly - never eat
  • Contains amatoxin, the same lethal toxins as Deathcap and Destroying Angel
  • Causes severe liver and kidney failure
  • Even one small mushroom can be fatal
  • Symptoms are often delayed 6–24 hours
  • Early symptoms include
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea
    • Severe abdominal pain
  • Followed by a false recovery phase, then organ failure
  • Cooking, drying or freezing does NOT destroy the toxins
  • Commonly mistaken for:
  • Key danger signs:
    • Brown/rusty gills
    • Rusty brown spore print
    • Small size + growth on wood
  • Beginners should avoid all small brown mushrooms on wood
  • Extremely dangerous to children and pets
  • If ingestion is suspected:
    • Seek emergency medical help immediately
    • Tell medics it may involve amatoxin poisoning
  • Best practice:
    • Do not collect
    • Photograph and leave untouched

Identification video:

Mushroom Quiz 🍄

Question goes here